Today’s Reading, Judges 6-7
Focal Scripture: Judges 6:15 “He said to him, “Please, Lord, how can I deliver Israel? Look, my family is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the youngest in my father’s family.””
I am not sure about you, but I have days where I have doubt. I know what the Lord has told me to, do but instead of following it with passion and confidence, I start making excuses. I start making the mission about me and my weaknesses. I make statements that focus on my ability instead of the Lords power. I am learning more and more that my ability is not needed for the Lord to fulfill his promises. All he requires from me is my obedience. The Lord wants my yes more than my ability. My faith in him that he will achieve his goal and his purpose.
In today’s reading we catch up with Gideon. He is being tasked to take military men and deliver the people of Israel from their oppressors. However, instead of relying on what God has done in the past ,he focuses on his skill and ability. He says his family is the weakest and he is too young for the task at hand. Gideon thinks his inability is stronger than the word and promises of God. He is allowing doubt to rule his mind and put fear in his heart.
I have learned over the years that I have put to much confidence in my giftedness and ability to do certain tasks. This causes arrogance and then I don’t rely on the Lord because believe it is all about me. I also do the opposite and allow fear to keep me from being obedient. I tell God all the reasons I can’t do something, instead of just being confident in who he is.
The challenge I have for you today is to be obedient to the Lord. If he has told you to complete a task, then to do it with no excuses. Even if that task doesn’t make any sense in the moment. Our initial response has to be this “Yes, Lord.” not “Why, me?” This applies to sharing our faith and it applies to radical obedience in everyday life.
What would happen if all of the individuals and churches who have been asked to accomplish great things for the Lord actually stepped out in faith? But it hasn’t happened, because of fear and doubt. I am calling everyone out, including myself on this topic. I want to set an example of faith for my family and my church. When people see me, I want them to see my confidence in God, not in my ability.
So what about you? Do people see your confidence in God? Or does your self doubt overshadow his power? Let us be a people who are radically obedient and set a standard of faithfulness.
Tomorrow, I plan on reading Judges 8-9
